Over 8 million iPhones

Apple investors have been watching the number of iPhones sold this year, and have created extrapolated estimates based on their IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers, according to Fortune. Apple Finance Board and AAPL Sanity members have requested IMEI and date-of-purchase information from anyone who has bought the phone, and claim production numbers have exceeded 8 million so far, divided between more than 5.6 million 3G models, and 2.4 million first-generation phones Apple reported sold during the first half of 2008.

It has previously been suggested that over 800,000 iPhones are being pumped out of factories each week. Apple's goal of 10 million phone sales in 2008 may thus be a very conservative estimate, attainable well before the end of the year. Numbers could be even higher than what AFB and AAPL Sanity have calculated, if inventory from retailers is taken into account.

by MacNN Staff